Archived Post
Monday Motivation: August 3, 2009
For many of us, Mondays can be tough days, what with the work/school week starting off anew. I like to motivate myself for the week by finding things I’m lusting after (usually beauty products–shock of shocks, I’m sure!). It helps me focus my energy on Monday mornings into the things I need to get done, and these little acts of motivation can also serve to be rewards later on down the road, if I accomplish enough of my to-do list, of course! 😉
- theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer
($22.00) is one of theBalm’s newer products, and it is a a shimmery powder. It looks like it’s designed to be a highlighter, but the copy says it can be used as a highlighter, shimmer or shadow. All I know is I’ve heard great things about theBalm’s cheek products, but I haven’t had a chance to try them out for myself. - Philosophy Beach Party Golden Girl Lip Shine ($12.00) is a summery lip shine, and if you know me… you know I love me some Philosophy lip shines! They’re really hydrating on the lips, give a gorgeous glossy sheen, and they smell delicious.
- Givenchy Poetique Blues ($53.00) just looks stunning in the promo photos. I haven’t seen Givenchy’s fall collection pop up on-counter yet, but it’s all available via Sephora now… for things like these, I’m so hesitant to buy sight unseen, though!
- Benefit Cosmetics Lip Gloss ($18.00) is Benefit’s latest gloss formula, and the shades look gorgeous. I haven’t broken down and purchased any yet, because I haven’t heard enough glowing reviews… What say you?
- NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara ($25.00) is a new mascara, which just recently debuted at Sephora, designed to volumize and hold a curl. I’ve never tried mascara by NARS, so I wonder how this one will compare. The price is a little steep for my liking, though. At that price, I’ll opt for YSL or Chanel.
- Illamasqua Pure Pigment ($24.00) seem to be right up my alley. I know the beauty world is buzzin’ about Illamasqua (both good and bad), but I am really anxious to see these for myself. Chasm, Conquer, and Involve all look like shades I’d love. Those of you in the UK or in NYC, love ’em or leave ’em?
- TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System ($225.00) is something that appeals to my inner beauty-gadget-geek. I love tech-y beauty stuff. I imagine this could be kind of fun 😉 (A girl can dream, right?)
- Korres Guava Lipstick ($22.00) is tempting, just because Korres, as a brand, has been impressing me as of late. I’m quite eager to check out their color line, since their skincare is fantastic.
I’m really wanting the loose powder from the Givenchy Poetique collection, and I can’t seem to find it anywhere! Sephora has everything but this 🙁 As for the Poetique Blues, they are stunning in the pan and on, I say get ’em 🙂
Aww 🙁 I hope you find it soon!!
What’s the ‘bad’ for Illamasqua?
Just not really impressed — I don’t think I’ve heard any “Illamasqua sucks” kind of comments, but I know some people didn’t find it to live up to the hype.
here’s some ‘meh’ on Illamasqua:
When Illamasqua opened at Selfridges, I had 2 separate appointments with artists there. I was not so impressed. The loose pigments are pretty cool, but the matte shadows really fade, the foundation didn’t work for me at all, and I found the attitude of the artists really crap (distainful and snotty). I purchased 5 things–2 blushes, 1 nail varnish, a cream liner/shadow, and a lipstick. They also were out of stock on tons of things.
the cream shadow is a great colour but barely shows up on me, and it is a dark gray.
the blushes are just the wrong colour, I think–one was supposed to contour, but it isn’t a great match. Hard to tell indoors when trying, I guess.
the nail varnish is a cool colour (Verbal-fleshy peach).
the lipstick is a super amazing purple, but it is hard to put on, and needs many layers, but it is a great colour…so…
I haven’t written it all off, but generally wasn’t too thrilled. I am still looking to try a purple pigment and a few other things.
very curious about Nars new foundations and mascara (don’t like the classic Nars mascara) and about Benefit’s new gloss.
I’ve just heard some people talk about how they weren’t impressed — it was just so-so, nothing special.
Yeah as much as a fan of NARS that I am – you cannot get me to buy that mascara. Then again I tend to stay away from mascara that is over the price of $15.
I love the packaging of the balm product but don’t know if i would really use it.
Blogs like yours and makeup/beauty blog get me through my day. Keep the products coming…I think I am doing a great service to the cosmetics industry – I should at least get a “customer of the month” shout out!!! hahahaha
Happy Monday to you and everyone else!
It is pricey!! I will wait for others to try it first, lol!
Happy Monday!
LOL! I’ve bought more expensive mascara, but it’s just soo… pricey.
Haha, customer of the month 😉
Love the poetique blues and the poetique browns too.
I just bought the illmasqua pigment in conquer and marvel. Very rich and pigmented esp when you use it with the sealing gel.
Do you own ’em, Jenn?
What sealing gel do you use?
Illamasqua Chasm pure pigment is absolutely gorgeous. I would describe it as a mermaid duochrome teal. I purchased it on Friday last week and both myself and the sales assistant were talking about how you could create a shimmering mermaid-esque eye with it.
Good to hear!! 🙂 Maybe I will have to splurge!
Oh you should! I am positive it will look stunning on you – it’s such an unusual shade 🙂
I LOVE the eyeshadows! I have quite a few of them and I use them a lot. They are pigmented and go on buttery smooth and their is a lot of product in the packaging. I also use the Hot Mama blush and I really like it because it reminds me of Nars Orgasm only cheaper! I would like to try their Stainiac products because I have good things about them.
Oh, thank you for letting me know, AT! Sounds like they are a worthwhile brand!
I was introduced to The Balm while working in a boutique/beauty bar and I was glad I stumble on them. You should definitely try the eyeshadows, Christine. My favourite colour from the line is Mischievous Marissa and I found that it is a close dupe of MAC’s Arena (also a favourite of mine) only that Mischievous Marissa goes on a lot smoother and more pigmented. The only downside to The Balm’s e/s are that most of them are shimmers and lack other finishes.
Thank you so much for the feedback, AT! 😀
I lust on sundays instead, for the very same reason, and what I lusted after yesterday can be seen here: http://bjooti.net/?p=8425
Ohh, pretty!! So many new things, yeah? I used to do a monthly post about what I was lusting after, but now everyone keeps coming out with more and more new items, I find myself wanting something different every week!
Guess what you and I have been lemming towards the Givenchy Poetique Blues, I love Givenchy’s eyeshadow great quality. good luck to you and accomplishing ALL your goals! I hope you’ll get everything on the list.
The list is long, but one day… maybe it will be done!!
Thank you 🙂
Think you’ll end up caving and picking up Poetique Blues?
yes please!!!!!!!!!
all of them.
Haha!
Ahhh, I’ve totally been lemming Givenchy’s Poetique Blues AND Browns! This kind of motivation doesn’t really help my budget though, especially as I’m trying to save up for school haha.
LOL! Good luck, Catherine!
Givenchy Poetique Blues palette has also been making heart go pitter-patter. I will probably not splurge though. I wish I could think of an excuse!!
Same here 🙁
I had a chance to take a look at the Benefit lip glosses this past weekend. And I have to say that I was not impressed. The colors are beautiful, but not something that I’d pay $18 for. But what I’m really loving from Benefit right now are their lipsticks. I’m loving Candy Store, Make Nice, Sugar Cookie and Label Lover. Also, two of their new eyeshadow colors really stood out…I Cannes and I will and Where there’s smoke.
Thanks for the input! I appreciate it!
I went to the Sephora opening on Friday and tried out the Temptu Airbrush System and it ROCKS! Such beautiful and flawless coverage. I was hoping that you would review it and hear your thoughts on it.
Arghhh!
I love the look of the Balm shimmer compact — what cute packaging. Too bad I have oily skin/large pores and shimmer is not a good think on my skin 🙁 The beach party lip shine looks super cute, too. I guess I am a sucker for cute packaging:)
🙁 Boo! I am a sucker for cute stuff, too!
I have the airbrush foundation machine, though not that exact model, and it’s fantastic! I use MAC airbrush formula and it’s super quick and wears amazingly. You should really check into getting one. The airbrush foundation lasts FOREVER too because you only need 2 to 3 drops for an entire face.
So good to hear!!
I had a look at some Benefit lipglosses and some Illamasqua blushers today – had a busy day, so felt like some make-up therapy. I ended up getting Illamasqua powder blusher in Hussy. In the container, it’s a really bright peachy-pink colour and I was thought it might be be way too bright on me but when I tried it on, it was a perfect sheer glowy peachy-pink flush. I love it! I think you can either wear it as a sheer hint of colour the way I did or you can layer it for a more intense pop of colour.
Benefit Fresh Squeezed really caught my eye. It’s a gorgeous peachy pink coral colour with a hint of shimmer – I think it would look gorgeous with green or gold eyeshadows. I think this might next be on my list! Also, Love That Look just came out in the UK! Can’t wait to check it out.
Thank you for all the input, Saira! I love hearing what others have tried and how it went!
Hey Christine,
I’ve been thinking about actually purchasing an airbrush machine however does the Temptu one stack up to a more professional grade airbrush machines? Have you used this particular machine? If so, what do you think of it? Is there other foundation you can use in it, perhaps your own MAC foundation, someone commented above about MAC airbrush foundation, is that supposed to be used with a machine?
Thank you.
I’ve never used any airbrushing system or even had airbrushing done on me, so I don’t feel like I could say much on it. I know that I’ve heard good things about OCC and Temptu’s systems. I’ve always heard about Luminess, but I’m not sure if that’s just tanning or not.
I don’t think you can use anything else the Temptu – I know it has these little pods, so I imagine it’d be tough to change it up.